July Gardening Calendar 2024

July Gardening Calendar

Extreme heat began earlier this year than previous years. In the past five years, each summer we currently break last year’s record.  Extreme temperatures were recorded around the world in June 2024 and we have two to three more months of the summer. Currently there are 11 states that are under extreme heat warnings: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington. 

Lantana camara ‘Miss Huff’

The CDC recommends these precautions for anyone who is involved in outdoor work or activities during extreme heat weather. Drink plenty of water and don’t wait until you are thirsty. Avoid alcohol and sugary drinks. Always where sunscreen and reapply as directed on label. Try to avoid working in mid-day heat and ask if the task can be rescheduled. Where loose fit clothing in light colors. Dri-fit is a brand of clothing that helps keep one cool during work or exercising. Where a large, brimmed hat to help keep one cool. Try to go to air conditioning or shady location during breaks. Keep an eye on your co-workers and encourage them to take breaks to drink water and cool off. For more information this is a link to the CDC website: CDC

Summer gardening tasks to do in one’s landscape, if living in one of the states mentioned for extreme heat try to in morning hours or early evening.

Watermelon – Choosing a summer watermelon for ripeness is as simple as slapping or knocking on it. The good ripe one’s sound hollow, and the unripe one’s sound like solid wood.

Flowering annuals and perennials – Such as Salvia, Zinnia, Coneflower, and Petunia, remove faded flowers to encourage bushiness and more flower production. Plant sun and heat tolerant annuals. Tropicals are a good choice because the plants now how to beat the summer heat and tropicals will reward you with lots of blooms and color.

Dahlias – The last week in July trim your plants back by half of their height to producannualse fall blooms. Fertilize with a flowering plant food.

Pink and Blue Hydrangeas – Remove faded flower stems. Trim shorten droopy, flowerless stems by 1/3. New growth that occurs now through winter will produce next summer’s blooms.

Herbs – Now is a good time to trim back Basil, Mint, and Oregano by half to prevent flowering and seed production. This will produce tastier leaves to use later.

Summer Vegetables – The plants will stop flower production when just one ripe cucumber, squash, or okra are left on the plant. Pick your summer vegetables on a regular basis to prevent this.

Fall Vegetables – Plant peppers, corn, cucumbers, squash, bush beans, and fall tomatoes. For tomatoes use the small to medium sized varieties.

Houseplants, Patio Pots, and Hanging Baskets – Check plants that are spending the summer outdoors for insects. Use an insecticidal soap, if needed. Your houseplants can be fertilized by-weekly with a water-soluble plant food. For more information on Houseplants order Cheryl’s book from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Grow-Fresh-Air-Pollution-Houseplants-ebook/dp/B0C72T954R/ref=sr_1_2?crid=DFC3HN5ZOBD&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.b0hx7eqbc4AFD0gxuEX2FcFWYnG__m4-Hm2Vp20fyMKjW1swwyOkfcWhsfFkPUPz.i0bTjxtksoTYMiO-BtM7JGX-PUbqO5Nsfo_oFKc0kf8&dib_tag=se&keywords=cheryl+ann+meola+books&qid=1720116434&s=books&sprefix=cheryl+ann+meola%2Cstripbooks%2C146&sr=1-2

Trees and Shrubs – Newly Spring planted trees and shrubs should be watered 2 gallons of water per foot of plant height. For more information on Landscape Gardening, you can order Cheryl’s book here. https://www.amazon.com/Southeast-Style-Gardening-Garden-Designs/dp/B08YNXJGMB/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.b0hx7eqbc4AFD0gxuEX2FcFWYnG__m4-Hm2Vp20fyMKjW1swwyOkfcWhsfFkPUPz.i0bTjxtksoTYMiO-BtM7JGX-PUbqO5Nsfo_oFKc0kf8&qid=1720116599&sr=1-3

Figs – Remove the tallest shoots in the middle first, then prune the rest of the fig lightly. The horizontal branches produce the best fruit.

New Turf – There is 6 to 7 weeks to start your project on laying or replacing turf grasses. The grass needs to be well-rooted before the cool weather starts, which is shortly after daylight savings time ends. It usually takes 10-15 days to get the grass established.

The Monarchs need our help. For more information on Butterfly Gardening, Cheryl has written Gardening for the Butterflies available on Amazon. Click Here. Click Here.

Hibiscus and More offers fine art prints of Cheryl Meola’s plant photography. Fine Art Prints. Fine Art Prints.

Cheryl Meola’s Plant Photography Merchandise. Click Here.

Floral & Foliage Stock Photography.  Stock Photography.

Botanical & Seasonal Stock Photography. Stock Photography.

Hibiscus and More offers fine art prints of Cheryl Meola’s plant photography. Fine Art Prints. Fine Art Prints.

Cheryl Meola’s Plant Photography Merchandise. Click Here.

Floral & Foliage Stock Photography.  Stock Photography.

Botanical & Seasonal Stock Photography. Stock Photography.

Have a wonderful summer. Stay hydrated, keep cool, go to shade when you start feel weak.

©Cheryl Ann Meola 2024

Mastering the Art of Edible Landscaping for a Feast of Sights and Bites

An outdoor space that yields both sustenance and visual delight is an attainable dream, regardless of the square footage at hand. From urban balconies to expansive lawns, the transformational journey to an edible and visually arresting landscape is not only fulfilling but also practical. The ensuing guide shared by Hibiscus and More delineates seven critical approaches that aim to cultivate an outdoor oasis where produce meets design seamlessly.

Incorporate Grasses that Serve Dual Roles

Ornamental grasses have always been a garden favorite, but their edible counterparts offer a fresh perspective you should consider. Grasses like Lemongrass can be strategically planted to function both as eye-catching borders and functional barriers. In addition to providing structural integrity to the garden, these grasses have culinary uses, making them a savvy choice for the modern-day cultivator. The most popular varieties for cooking are West Indian Lemon Grass – Cymbopogon citratus, East Indian Lemon Grass – Cymbopogon flexuosus, and Citronella Grass – Cymbopogon nardus.

Choose Plants with Culinary and Visual Benefits

Why settle for plants that only serve one purpose? Garden denizens like Swiss chard offer a feast for the eyes with their vibrant stalks, while their leaves bring nutritional value to meals. Similarly, the delicate flowers of the nasturtium are not just visually captivating; they are also a colorful addition to salads. Thus, these plants tick both boxes: they are visually appealing and provide nourishment.

Chronicle Your Experience Digitally

Expanding the reach of your edible landscape through digital platforms like YouTube opens the door to myriad opportunities, from community engagement to potential revenue streams. If contemplating the venture from a business perspective, discussing the merits of structured planning, such as forming a Limited Liability Company, can offer valuable insights to your audience. An LLC can offer a number of different benefits, include liability protection and certain tax advantages. There are several companies that can help you register all the right paperwork and documentation with the state.

Integrate a Spectrum of Sensory Elements

Creating a colorful landscape involves more than planting a row of tomatoes next to herbs. Integrating plants with various shapes, textures, and hues can give your garden a lush, layered look. A juxtaposition of the deep red tomatoes, the slender and subtle greens of dill, and the architectural allure of artichoke leaves, for example, will lend a sense of rich visual diversity to your outdoor space.

Harmonize Plants Based on Necessities

Strategic grouping of plants according to their individual sunlight and water requirements can streamline maintenance and minimize resource wastage. By planting sun-loving herbs like basil on the sunny sides and allocating shadier spots to moisture-loving leafy greens like spinach, you're setting the stage for each plant to flourish without excessive care and attention.

Optimize Space through Smart Design Choices

Space constraints are not a limitation but an opportunity for creative gardening solutions. Raised beds and container gardening can be perfect solutions for compact areas. Apart from maximizing the available area, they offer enhanced control over soil composition and drainage, making them ideal choices for urban gardeners who want to grow a variety of edibles on a smaller scale. For more information on container gardening.

Adopt Sustainable Pest Management

Harmony with nature is a core philosophy of edible landscaping, which extends to pest control. Chemical pesticides might offer quick solutions but often at the expense of environmental well-being. Natural deterrents like planting geraniums or African marigolds can offer a sustainable yet effective alternative to keep troublesome insects like Japanese beetles at bay. Or one can use a combination of natural deterrents and environmentally friendly sprays such as Safer Soap, Neem Oil, or Dormant Oil.

Achieving an outdoor space that is as productive as it is visually striking is not just an aspiration but a realistic goal. By adopting multi-functional plants, documenting your journey digitally, infusing variety in sensory elements, optimizing space, and embracing sustainable practices, your landscape will not merely be a backdrop but an interactive, enriching part of your life. This melding of utility and aesthetic allure ensures that your outdoor space becomes a wellspring of both inspiration and sustenance for anyone who encounters it.

©Larry Waters 2023.

 

August Gardening Calendar 2023

August Gardening Calendar

July and August forecast is predicting above average temperatures for most of the United States. For the past two weeks there have been heat advisory warnings daily and to use precautions while working outdoors. The best times to garden in an area that has heat advisories is early morning or late afternoon. When we garden during these heat advisories it is recommended to protect yourself from heat dangers by:

·         Stay out of the sun, if possible.

·         Drink plenty of cool water whether you are thirsty or not.

·         Wear loose, light-colored clothing, and sunscreen. Try wearing clothes that use the Dri-Fit technology.

·         Try to schedule outdoor activities early mornings or late afternoons.

·         While working outdoors pace yourself and take a break when tired.

Prune Tropical Hibiscus you plan to bring indoors for the winter. Plan to place your plant in the sunniest window during the winter months. Trim back enough to fit your location indoors and bring your Hibiscus inside around December or before first frost. After pruning check your Hibiscus for insects and spray with appropriate insecticide. Now is a good time to fertilize your Hibiscus. Hibiscuses are heavy feeders and should be fertilized monthly.

Remove faded blooms and seedpods on your Crepe Myrtles. You may be rewarded with more blooms before first frost. The recommended fertilizer formulation for Crepe Myrtles is 10-15-9 or a similar combination. Don’t forget to fertilize your Crepe Myrtles.

Roses prune out dead canes, and weak, bushy growth. Cut back tall, vigorous bushes by 1/3 the original plant height. Fertilize roses on a monthly basis until October. After pruning you should see new blooms coming in about 6 weeks.

Azaleas Lace bugs on your Azaleas increase rapidly in summer. Check your Azaleas for insects. The damaged caused by these sucking insects looks like tiny white dots and the entire leaf is almost completely white. Spray with appropriate insecticide labeled for Azalea Lace Bugs.

Lawns check your grass for insects, especially for chinch bugs and white grubs. These insects are most active in the summer months. The signs for chinch bugs are irregular circles, and the grass is thin, and then dies. For white grubs, the signs are irregular circles, and the grass is loosely rooted. Check the soil underneath the loosely rooted grass by digging up the soil, the grubs should be about an inch down in the soil, if you have them. Apply the appropriate insecticide and follow the package directions carefully. Lawn Mower Blades should be sharpened once each summer. A sharpened lawn mower blade prevents shredding the grass, and giving your lawn a nice, clean cut.

Mulch check all shrub beds and trees for mulch thickness. We are experiencing extreme heat this summer and shrubs and trees that have 2 to 3 inches of mulch keeps the roots cool and helps the soil retain moisture.

Fruits and Vegetables Start planning your fall vegetable garden this August. Till the soil and add Gypsum and Composted Cottonseed hull. The additives lower the alkalinity and helps the soil stay loose. Tomatoes, Peppers, and Beans should be planted by August 1^st. Starter plants usually are available by August 15^th. Pick the varieties of tomatoes that mature in 65-70 days. Cool season vegetables, broccoli, carrots, lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, swiss chard, collards, spinach, kale, and snow peas are planted in September. Blackberry and Raspberry plants at this time of year have a tendency to trail along the ground. Take the trailing canes or runners and tie them back to their arbor. For more information on planting fall vegetables click to read my blog post Here.

Seeds sow cool season seeds of snapdragons, dianthus, pansies, calendulas, and sweet alyssum to be planted in mid to late fall. Sow seeds of bluebonnets and other spring wildflowers this month to be planted in the garden. The wildflowers will establish a root system during the fall for spring blooms.

Tropical Foliage Plants Check plants that are spending the summer outdoors for insects. Use an insecticidal soap, if needed. Your houseplants can be fertilized biweekly with a water-soluble plant food. Hibiscus and More has a wonderful selection of houseplants and Herbs. Click To Order Houseplants. Click To Order Herbs.

August is a good time to start thinking about fall bulbs. Mail-order houses usually have early bird specials for consumers who order early.

Cheryl now features her botanical photography on two stock websites. Need the Image as Stock? Click Here. 

Cheryl has written 3 books on gardening and can be purchased on Amazon. Click Here.

Need more gardening advice? Follow our BlogSpot for current sales, daily specials, and sound gardening advice. Simply click on Join This Site Link Under Followers. Sign Up Is Free. 

Cheryl Ann Meola

Certified Texas Nursery Professional #1282

 

 

May Gardening Calendar

 

May Gardening Calendar

Deadhead spring bulbs after flowering. Let the foliage die back naturally. The nutrients in the foliage gets stored in the bulb for next year’s nutrients.

Stay ahead of your weeding chores. The month of May is when weeds start showing their ugly heads. I recommend using a Pre-Emergent Weed Control. Just make sure it is recommended safe to use around trees, shrubs, and perennials. Some Pre-Emergent’s are also recommended to use around your vegetable garden. So always read the label to see where you can use a pre-emergent. The way a pre-emergent works is by preventing the weed seeds from germinating. Before applying a pre-emergent pull all existing weeds by the roots because a pre-emergent will not kill existing weeds. Use a weed-N-Feed for your lawns. Check the label to make sure you can use the product on your lawn variety.

Fertilize trees and shrubs. After fertilizing apply a fresh layer of mulch. Applying mulch to your beds helps to keep the roots cool in the spring–summer months and warm in the fall-winter months.

As the weather gets warmer your cool-season vegetables will start to bolt. Start harvesting your last crop and compost. Get the planting bed ready for the spring -summer veggies and herbs.

It is recommended to check your irrigation each year. It boggles the mind when you turn on your irrigation in the spring and an irrigation head is pointing in the wrong direction. When that head was working perfectly last year.

Prune ornamental grasses and clean perennial flowers before new growth starts in the spring.

Prune Azaleas, forsythias, hydrangeas, and gardenias after blooming. You can fertilize Azaleas monthly until the end of August. Be on the lookout for lacebugs on your Azaleas. The bugs are hard to see, but the damage is not. The damage looks like very small white dots on the leaves where the bugs sucked out the chlorophyll. Spray with appropriate insecticide.

It is warm enough to bring the houseplants out that you over wintered outdoors. Place the plants in shade to begin with and slowly move the plants to a sunnier location, if required by the plant. Some tropicals will grow in full sun.

Hibiscusandmore.com features fine art prints of tropical plants. Click Here Fine Art Prints.

Hibiscusandmore.com has new products just in time for the spring -summer months. We have live plants. Click here for live plants.

Need more gardening advice? Follow our BlogSpot for current sales, daily specials, and sound gardening advice. Simply click on Join This Site Link under Followers. Sign Up Is Free.

Need floral stock photography? Click here. Need botanical stock photography? Click here

All photographs and digital images are ©Cheryl Ann Meola. All Rights Reserved. All photographs and digital images displayed in this newsletter are for viewing purposes only and cannot be duplicated or copied.

Gardening for the Butterflies can be purchased at www.hibicusandmore.com under books. Enjoy.

     

Tropical and Subtropical Herbs

Tropical and Subtropical Herbs

As a horticulturist, we have favorite endeavors such as growing plants especially herbs. Herbs are very versatile and can be placed within your landscaping as groundcovers, shrubs, and trees. Herbs make an excellent choice to decorate a sunny patio, deck, or balcony, and the flowers that are produced on herbs will provide twice the amount of fun to your growing area. The seeds and flowers will provide additional ingredients to recipes. Processing the seeds produced by herbs make additional ingredients to add to recipes. For example, when Cilantro goes to seed the seeds are called Coriander when crushed; and when Dill goes to seed the processed seeds are called Dill Weed. Most flowers produced by herbs are edible and are used in salads, garnishes, and cooking or can be used in dried floral arrangements. For example, add Mexican Marigold Mint flowers to salads and Lavender flowers can be dried and used in floral arrangements. Plants that are classified as Herbs are very diverse and have multiple uses around the home besides just for cooking. Speaking of cooking, I would like to ask my readers to share one of their favorite recipes using one or more of the herbs listed below. You may share it in the comments section or you can email it to me at: cheryl@hibiscusandmore.com. This could be lots of fun!!!

Allspice – Pimenta dioica. Type: Tree. Height: 20-30 feet. Spacing: 15-20 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun. Uses: Allspice is a combination of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg taste. The fruit and leaves are used in cooking vegetables, soups, desserts, gingerbread, apple and pumpkin pie. Next time you make red cabbage try about ¼th teaspoon of Allspice. Allspice can also be grown in a container and brought inside before first frost. 

Allspice - Pimenta dioica

Arugula - Eruca sativa. Type: Annual. Height: 12 – 18 inches. Spacing: 6 – 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Excellent companion plant for salad mixes. Arugula prefers cool temperatures and can be grown from seeds or plants in early spring or fall. Can harvest 21 days after planting. To extend the growing season keep flower buds pinched back.

Basil - Ocimum basilicum. Type: Annual. Height: 18 – 30 inches. Spacing: 12 – 18 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Blooms pink flowers in summer. Additional Uses: Leaves can be used fresh or dried in tomato dishes, pasta dishes, vegetables, and soups. A companion plant that repels aphids, mites, and tomato hornworms. There are several different cultivars of Basil some favorites are Lemon and Cinnamon Basil.

Basil - Ocimum basilicum

Bay Rum Tree – Pimenta racemosa. Type: Tree. Height: 20-25 feet. Spacing: 25 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Leaves are a combination of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg with hints of vanilla and cardamom. Uses: Leaves are used in cooking rice dishes, soups, stews, tea, vegetables and meat dishes. 

Bay Rum Tree - Pimenta racemosa

Catmint - Nepeta x faassenii. Type: Perennial. Height: 12 – 18 inches. Spacing: 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Profuse lavender blooms on spiky stems. Good for containers and the perennial garden. Soft, crinkled, gray-green leaves on a compact, mounding plant. Additional Uses: Butterfly nectar plant and your cats will love it.  

Catmint - Nepeta x faassenii

Catnip - Nepeta cataria. Type: Perennial. Height: 2 – 4 feet. Spacing: 12 – 18 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Vigorous, high-yielding plants. Cat-attracting perennial with gray-green leaves and white flowers. Additional uses: Butterfly nectar plant and your cats will love it.  

Catnip - Nepeta cataria

Chives - Allium schoenoprasum. Type: Perennial. Height: 18 – 24 inches. Spacing: 4 – 8 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Chives have a mild onion flavor that is very pleasing and is easy to grow. Uses: Can be added to soups, salads, egg dishes, potatoes, fish dishes, or any dish that requires a mild onion flavor fresh or frozen. Additional Uses: Mosquito Repellent Plant or border/edger plant.  

Chives - Allium schoenoprasum

Cilantro, Coriander - Coriandrum sativum. Type: Annual. Height: 12 – 18 inches. Spacing: 6 – 8 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Leaves are used in salsa, guacamole, sauces, and seafood. When Cilantro produces seeds the seed of Cilantro are called Coriander.

Cinnamon – Cinnamomum verum. Type: Tree. Height: 50 feet. Spacing: 25-35 feet. Light Requirements: Full sun. Uses: The inner bark is used for the spice cinnamon and is used in baking, desserts, pies, cookies, breads, cocoa, eggnog, and toast. 

Cinnamon – Cinnamomum verum

Citronella Grass - Cymbopogon nardus. ((Cymbopogon flexuosus) (East Indian)). Type: Perennial, annual outside zone 9. Height: 5-6 feet. Spacing: 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: Nectar plant for butterflies, Mosquito repellent plant, leaves are used in cooking, in potpourris, sachets, and the oil from the plant is used in citronella candles.

Costa Rican Mint – Satureja viminea. Type: Shrub. Height: 3-6 feet. Spacing: 3-4 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Peppermint flavored leaves used fresh or dried in soups, stuffing, sauces, meats, egg dishes, salads, and teas.

Cuban Oregano – Plectranthus amboinicus. Type: biennial. Height: 1-2 feet. Spacing: 2-3 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. The leaves have a strong flavor and use sparingly. Use in soups, stews, stuffing, fish, meats, Cuban black bean dishes, in containers and hanging baskets.

Cutting Celery, Leaf Celery, Celery Leaf – Apium graveolens var. secalinum. Type: biennial. Height: 10 – 12 inches. Spacing: 10 – 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Excellent plant to grow in containers. Cutting Celery is an excellent substitute for traditional celery, but without all the growing hassle. Very easy to grow and taste just like traditional celery, and cutting celery can be used in every recipe that calls for traditional celery.

Dill – Anethum graveolens.Type: Annual. Height: 18 – 36 inches. Space: 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Yellow blossoms in summer, seed heads can be harvested. The seeds can be crushed and used in cooking. The leaves can be used fresh in potato, tuna, and chicken salads; fresh chicken and fish dishes. Additional Uses: Attracts butterflies and a larval food plant for butterflies. (Plant enough for you and the butterflies!).

Dill – Anethum graveolens

Epazote – Dysphania ambrosioides (Chenopodium ambrosioides). Type: Annual. Height: 3 – 4 feet. Spacing: 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Leaves are used in bean, soups, eggs or cheese dishes.

French Lavender – Lavandula dentata. Type: Perennial. Height: 24-36 inches. Spacing: 20-23 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun. Uses: Potpourri, dried flowers, cut flowers, fragrant.

French Tarragon – Artemisia dracunculus ‘Sativa’. Type: Perennial. Height: 24 inches. Spacing: 8 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Leaves are used in eggs, poultry, salads, cheese, and fish.

Garlic Chives - Allium tuberosum.Type: Perennial. Height: 18 – 24 inches. Spacing: 6 – 8 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Garlic Chives have flat, thin leaves with a mild blend of garlic and onion. Uses: Can be added to soups, salads, egg dishes, potatoes, fish dishes, or any dish that requires a mild onion flavor fresh or frozen. Additional Uses: Mosquito Repellent Plant or border/edger plant.

Garlic Chives - Allium tuberosum

Greek Oregano - Origanum vulgare subsp. Hirtum. Type: Perennial. Height: 24 inches. Spacing: 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Leaves are used in Italian dishes, pizza, shellfish, egg dishes, beef, pork, and poultry dishes.

Henna – Lawsonia inermis.
Type: Shrub. Height: 7-8 feet. Spacing: 3-5 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun. Uses: Leaves are used fresh or dried for dyes, cosmetics and fabrics.

Henna – Lawsonia inermis

Italian Oregano – Origanum vulgare. Type: Perennial. Height: 24 inches. Spacing: 8 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Leaves are used in Italian dishes, pizza, shellfish, egg dishes, beef, pork, and poultry dishes.

Lavender - Lavandula angustifolia. Type: Perennial. Height: 18-24”. Spacing: 12-18” apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: Nectar plant for butterflies, flowers can be dried, in potpourris, and sachets.

Lemon Grass - Cymbopogon citratus (West Indian).
Type: Perennial. Height: 2-3 feet. Spacing: 12” apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: Nectar plant for butterflies, Mosquito repellent plant, leaves are used in cooking, in potpourris, and sachets.

Lemon Grass - Cymbopogon citratus

Lemon Thyme – Thymus x citriodorus. Type: Perennial. Height: 12 inches. Spacing: 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun. Light purple flowers in summer. Wonderful Lemon scent when leaves are crushed or walked upon. Additional Uses: All leaves have a distinct lemon flavor that can be used in cooking. Attracts Butterflies and Hummingbirds to the garden.

Lemon Verbena – Aloysia triphylla. Type: Perennial, treat as an annual outside zone 8. Height: To 4 feet. Spacing: 18-24” apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: The oil is used in perfumes; the leaves are used in flavoring teas and jellies.

Mexican Marigold Mint - Tagetes lucida.Type: Perennial. Height: 24-30”. Spacing: 12-18” apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: Butterfly nectar and larval food plant, Mosquito repellent plant, fresh flowers are used in salads; leaves are used as a substitute for French tarragon.  

Mexican Marigold Mint - Tagetes lucida

Parsley - Petroselinum crispum. Type: Annual. Height: 12 – 18 inches. Spacing: 8 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Leaves are used in meat dishes, soups, and salads.

Pennyroyal – Mentha pulegium. Type: Perennial. Height: 6 – 12 inches. Spacing: 12 – 24 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Purple flowers in late summer through fall. Additional Uses: A groundcover, nectar plant for butterflies, the leaves are used in the flavoring for fish dishes, and grows well in a hanging basket.

Peppermint - Mentha piperita. Type: Perennial. Height: 24-36”. Spacing: 12-18” apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: Leaves are used fresh in hot and iced teas, butterfly nectar and larval food plant.

Pineapple Sage – Salvia elegans. Type: Perennial. Height: 3 - 4 feet. Spacing: 3 – 4 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Blooms red flowers in spring, summer, and fall. The leaves when crushed smell and taste like fresh pineapple. Additional Uses: The fresh leaves can be used in drinks and salads. The leaves can be used in hot or cold drinks, and the flowers and leaves are used chopped in salads. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden.

Prostrate Rosemary - Salvia rosmarinus 'Prostratus’.
Type: Perennial shrub or groundcover. Height: 12-18”. Spacing: 2 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: The leaves are used in lamb and fish dishes, butterfly nectar plant, Mosquito repellent plant, and drought tolerant plant.

Prostrate Rosemary - Salvia rosmarinus 'Prostratus’

Rosemary - Salvia rosmarinus.Type: Perennial shrub. Height: 4 feet. Spacing: 3-5 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: The leaves are used in lamb and fish dishes, drought tolerant plant, Mosquito repellent plant, and butterfly nectar plant.

Rosemary - Salvia rosmarinus

Sage - Salvia officinalis. Type: Perennial. Height: 3 feet. Spacing: 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Leaves are used in stuffing and meat dishes.

Salad Burnet - Sanguisorba minor. Type: Perennial. Height: 12 inches. Spacing: 8 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Leaves have a mild cucumber taste and are used in salads, vinegars, and cold drinks.

Spanish Lavender – Lavandula stoechas. Type: Perennial. Height: 18-24”. Spacing: 12-18” apart. Light Requirements: Full sun. Additional Uses: Nectar plant for butterflies, flowers can be dried, in potpourris, and sachets.

Spearmint – Mentha spicata. Type: Perennial. Height: 24-36”. Spacing: 36-48 inches. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: Leaves are used fresh in hot and iced teas, Butterfly Nectar and Larval Food Plant.

Stevia - Stevia rebaudiana. Type: Hardy Perennial in USDA zones 9 and 10. Height: 18 – 24 inches. Spacing: 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Uses: Stevia is a natural sweetener that is used as a sugar substitute that is calorie free. Leaves can be used fresh or dried in beverages, sauces, and salads. Do not plant outdoors until temperatures are above 45 degrees. Avoid afternoon summer sun in extreme southern areas during July and August. During these months it’s recommended to put the container in afternoon shade. Check for leafhoppers and whiteflies which may be a problem.

Summer Thyme – Thymus vulgaris. Type: Perennial. Height: 6 – 12 inches. Spacing: 6 – 12 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Blooms lilac to purple flowers in summer. Additional Uses: All leaves are used in cooking. Attracts butterflies to the garden. All thyme plants can be used as an alternative ground cover.

Sweet Bay Laurel – Laurus nobilis.Type: Perennial. Height: 12 – 15 feet. Growth rate slow and plants growing in containers will be somewhat shorter. Spacing: 24 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Blooms pale yellow flowers in spring. Leaves are used in Italian and fish dishes. Companion plants are Prostrate rosemary, Lavender, and Oregano.   

Sweet Bay Laurel – Laurus nobilis

Sweet Marjoram - Origanum majorana. Type: Perennial. Height: 12 to 18 inches. Spacing: 9 inches apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Leaves are used in eggs, meats, rice, pastas, soups, vegetables.

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